Key points:
- Sportradar has announced a long-term partnership extension with MLB
- The pair will remain in their current collaborative agreement until 2032
- Following this latest deal, MLB has now acquired an equity stake in Sportradar
Technology supplier Sportradar has unveiled a long-term partnership extension with Major League Baseball (MLB) that will see the pair continue their pre-existing collaborative relationship until 2032.
Having initially partnered in 2014, Sportradar and MLB will now continue their data and audiovisual (AV) content partnership contract for an additional seven years. As part of the newly brokered agreement, Sportradar is set to distribute all MLB data, AV and media content across the global market.
Further, this latest deal has seen MLB acquire an equity stake in Sportradar – and the pair are also set to collaborate on the development of AI-integrated products.
Commenting on this development, Sportradar CEO Carsten Koerl said: “We are thrilled to continue our long-standing partnership with MLB, and this agreement represents a new, exciting chapter in our journey together. Our collaboration is not only about leveraging cutting-edge technology and content but also working together to create innovative products that enhance fan engagement and bring fans closer to the game.
“By combining our strengths, we can unlock new opportunities and reach more sports fans around the globe to shape the future of sports entertainment. This deal, which is immediately accretive to our business, will drive value for our shareholders as we continue to expand margins and generate strong cash flow.”
Good to know: Sportradar and MLB also entered into a player-scouting collaboration in November 2024
This latest announcement falls in the wake of recent major updates for Sportradar, including the opening of a new São Paulo office which will act as the company’s hub for the recently regulated Brazilian sports betting market. More recently, the supplier reported a decline in global match-fixing during 2024, marking the first fall in the occurrence after several years of rising figures.
Also speaking on this latest deal, Kenny Gersh, MLB Executive VP, Media & Business Development, said: “Sportradar has been a great partner to MLB, particularly helping us navigate the legalization and continued evolution of the global sports betting landscape. Over the course of our partnership, Sportradar has consistently developed great products utilizing MLB’s best-in-class data. MLB is delighted to continue innovating with Sportradar to create engaging products and services for MLB fans globally.”
In additional related recent news, MLB star Shohei Otani’s interpreter was sentenced to a total of five years in prison today, after pleading guilty to charges of theft amounting to almost $17m from the Dodgers pitcher to pay off gambling debts.
